On their debut release, these three young and dynamic musicians perform a blend of works by the old master Mikhail Glinka and the imaginative Swiss composer Daniel Schnyder. Trio Elego features Antonia Lorenz on clarinet, Philipp Zeller on bassoon and Isabel von Bernstorff on piano.

American Record Guide, July / August 2012Some might view Glinka as the primary composer on this recording and might have paired it with a contemporary or a predecessor such as Beethoven. Others, who believe firmly in promoting newer composers because the older stuff has been recorded ad nauseam, might have paired Schnyder's music with one of his contemporaries. But what we have is a delightful opportunity to enjoy a juxtaposition of sounds that are complementary. This is a delightful recording, and it is worth finding even if the cover makes you roll your eyes.

Reviews

What a catchy blend of old and new!

Daniel Schnyder is a composer-performer whose music is a very cosmopolitan blend of classical, jazz and some ethnic "world music" sounds and it is truly well written engaging, The open piece in this strangely eclectic but attractive collection is his "Worlds Beyond" for clarinet, bassoon and piano. This three movement work provides the perfect initial exposure to Schnyder music, infused with elements of jazz, klezmer and classical - specifically references to Schubert's "Moments Musicaux" and a modernized ricercar style canon. It is a very fun piece and the present performers, the Trio Elego, perform exceptionally well and really "sell" this melange to this listener. Schnyder's "Sonata for Clarinet and Piano" makes a similarly strong impression and it, too, has some very jazzy moments but with a quite catchy character all its own. The second movement, 'langsam/tempo rubato' is particularly atmospheric but I really enjoyed the whole piece. Clarinetist Antonia Lorenz plays very well and with a very appropriate tone and style. The third of Schnyder's works represented here is his "Baroquelochness" for clarinet, piano and basso continuo (here played by the bassoon). The fantastically creative and imagery laden title is taken exactly from what you might imagine. The composer wanted to do something "crazy" for his own flute playing that pays homage to the Baroque flute, basso tradition of the Handel trio sonatas but also imagines the Loch Ness "monster" coming and going, emerging and submerging through the ages. It's crazy all right but it somehow works and is great fun to listen to (including the final "squawk" from the sea monster perhaps?
The pairing of music by the Russian master Mikhail Glinka is also a bit interesting but it seems to fit very well; especially the chosen works. His "Trio Pathetique" also exists in a clarinet, cello and piano form and is a well known, melodic and idiomatic work that contains beautiful melodies for the clarinet and bassoon and a very delicate and technical piano line. It is a very nice work that has been played many times; known especially for its dark, pendulous central 'largo.' His "Sonata for Bassoon and Piano" was not familiar to me and it is a wonderful work with some of the same qualities. Actually just the one movement from the composer's "Viola Sonata", transcribed for the bassoon by Rainer Schottstadt, this is a compelling work. Glinka had a gift for long line, yearning melodies and the bassoon part is given many of these throughout the single, attractive movement. Similarly, Glinka's "Elegie" is actually based on a song he wrote after an original by a Russian folk composer, Jakovleva. His own transcription was for alto, bass and piano. The version heard here is a further transcription of the music without words for and by the Trio Elego. Glinka provides and interesting but perfectly rational pairing for the music of Daniel Schnyder. Glinka thought of himself as a committed Russian nationalist but with a great appreciation for more international sounds and forms, be they Italian, German, gypsy and so forth. Schnyder's music exists in a wonderfully creative pastiche of sources and points of inspiration. The Trio Elego are young, talented musicians and this is their first CD. From Germany, they are creative in their programming and gifted in their performance. I found Schnyder music to be the best reason to go check out this disc. It is wonderful and cosmopolitan material indeed!
Submitted on 04/04/12 by Dan Coombs